Anthony's International Basketball Officiating Site

FIBA/U.S. Rule Differences

Basketball is played all around the world using the same set of rules...
except in North America, of course!

Below is a list of major rule differences between FIBA (International)
Rules and many of those used in North America. The list is meant to
give
more detailed information than some other comparisons (more suitable
for usage by referees), but is by no means exhaustive.

The NBDL (the
NBA's fall development league) uses NBA rules for purposes
of this discussion.

I do not have current information on US High School rules (National Federation
rules), so I have chosen to omit them. They are similar in philosophy
to NCAA Men's rules, but they have some peculiar quirks. The NCAA also
puts a comparison in the back of their rule book each year, which is available
online. Check some of the sources listed in my Hoop
Links for more current information on NF Rules.

Shot Clock — Time Allowed to Shoot

Shot Clock — Operation

All rules agree that a team must attempt (release) a shot before the clock
expires and that for it to be a legal attempt, the ball must strike the ring.
After a legal attempt, the clock is reset to its maximum value and does not
start again until a team gains control (or is awarded possession for a throw-in).
Likewise, a change of team control causes the shot clock to be reset. Shot
clocks are stopped when play stops. Clocks are never reset when a
defensive player causes the ball to go out of bounds (the word "violation"
used below does not refer to out-of-bounds violations). The rules diverge
on which situations cause a reset, how much that reset will be, and when
the clock will restart.

When play resumes with less than full amount on shot clock,
shot clock resumes with first touch in bounds

The shot clock
is reset to 24, 14, or 5 (unless the time remaining on the clock
is greater) under the following circumstances:

Reset to 24 on all flagrant and punching fouls, as
well as personal fouls and violations resulting in a backcourt
throw-in.

Reset to 14 on personal
fouls and defensive 3-second
or kicked/punched ball or jump ball situation (no change
of possession) violations resulting in a front court throw-in;
a defensive technincal foul or delay of game warning; an
infection control situation

Reset to 5 when the same team retains possession on
a jump ball situation resulting from a defensive tie-up.

The shot clock is not reset when the offensive team commits a technical
foul or is charged with a delay of game warning

When play resumes with less than full amount on shot clock,
shot clock resumes with first touch in bounds

The shot clock is reset after most fouls (personal or technical) —
exceptions follow.

The shot clock is not reset
on a double foul or alternating possession situation when the same team
retains possession.

The shot clock is not reset when the offensive team commits a technical
foul.

For kicked ball violations, if the violation occurs with 14 or fewer
seconds remaining on the shot clock, it shall be reset to 15 seconds.
Otherwise, there shall be no reset
(the time remaining shall be used).

Time Outs — Number and Duration

6 "regular" time outs per regulation time (with some restrictions —
some mandatory timeouts for TV are built into the 6), 2 regular timeouts
per overtime period

Regular time outs are 60 seconds in duration, except the first two timeouts
in each period and the extra mandatory timeout in Quarters 2 and 4,
which
are 100 seconds

Time outs do not accumulate into overtime

One 20 second timeout per half and each overtime period.

Maxiumum 3 regular timeouts in the fourth period.

If a team has 2 or 3 regular
timeouts remaining when the fourth period or overtime period reaches
the 2:00 mark, those will change to one regular timeout and one 20-second
timeout. (Thus, a team may never have more than 1 regular and two
20-second timeouts in the last two minutes of a game.)

2 "regular" timeouts per half (one of those timeouts will generally
be charged as a mandatory timeout), 1 per overtime period

The first regular timeout in the first and third period and the
first two regular timeouts in the second and fourth period are
120 seconds in length. All other regular timeouts are 60
seconds in length.

Unused regular time outs do not accumulate from half to half,
nor into overtime

One 20 sec timeout in each half and OT period; can carry one over
from 1st to 2nd Half or 2nd Half to OT (never more than two allowed
in OT period).

Electronic Media timeout format:

A maximum of 3 30-second time outs and one 60-second time out may be
carried into the second half

One additional 30-second time out is added per overtime period (any
timeouts remaining from the second half may be carried over into overtime)

First 30-second time out of the second half is extended to the length
of a media timeout.

If coach requests 2 consecutive 30-second timeouts, players may
sit on the bench, so long as the request is made when the first timeout
is granted. (Normally, players must remain standing and on the floor
during a 30-second timeout.)

Time outs that are not Electronic Media timeouts may be shortened.

Women: When a timeout is granted and creates a dead ball within 30 seconds before a media timeout mark or creates the first dead ball after such a mark, that timeout will become the electronic-media timeout for that specified time.

Non-E.M. timeout format:

4 "full" time outs per game (75 seconds, warning horn after 60 seconds
has expired), add one per overtime

Time Outs — How To Call, When Allowed, Privileges

Time out granted on next stoppage or, if asked for in time, after
the next field goal scored against (a mercy rule of sorts).

No time-outs granted once a set of free throws has started — Exceptions:
If the last free throw is successful or there will be a throw-in
after the final throw, either may be granted a timeout

Throw-in spot is advanced (without option) to the front court in the last
two minutes of the 4th quarter (or OT) when a timeout is called by
the team with the ball entitled to a throw-in in the back court (including
after a successful field goal by the opponents). The spot is opposite
the scorer's table at a hash mark in line with the top of the 3-point
arc (8.325 m / 27' 3.75" from the baseline).

Called from the floor by players anytime a player on their team is
in control of the ball, or whenever the ball is dead (once you are scored
upon, you are deemed to be in control, so no time-outs after you score
a basket as is possible in the NCAA)

The Head Coach may also request
a time-out from an official.

A player may not call timeout if both of his/her feet are in the air
and any part of his/her body has broken the vertical plane of the sideline,
baseline, or midcourt line

Ball may be advanced to front court (the 28' line [8.53 m], in specific)
in some situations after calling a full or 20 second time out late
in the game

Called from the floor by players or the coach anytime a player on their
team is in control of the ball (including ball at their disposal)
or whenever the ball is dead, including after a field goal or free
throw scored by either team.

A time out shall not be recognized if an airborne player's
momentum carries them out of bounds or into the back court.

Jump Ball, Held Ball, Alternating Possession

On all held ball/jump ball situations during the game (including
the beginning of most periods), teams alternate receiving the ball ("alternating
possession"), with the team not gaining possession of the initial (tossed)
jump ball being the first recipient.

First half begins with a jump ball;
alternating possession at the beginning of all other periods.

The shot clock shall not be reset if the offensive team retains possession
of the ball through the alternating process.

On all held ball/jump ball situations during the game, play resumes
with a (tossed) jump ball

If the offence retains possession after a jump ball, the clock is
reset to 5 secondsor
remains the same if there were more than 14 seconds on the clock.
If the defense commits a violation during the jump ball, the clock
is reset to 14. If the defense gains possession, the clock is reset
to 24 seconds.

First period and any overtime begin with a jump ball; periods 2,
3, and 4 start with possession based on team winning opening tip
(2 and 3 to loser of tip, 4 to winner). Throw-in is treated like
a throw-in after a successful basket (player may run baseline and/or
pass to teammates out of bounds).

On all held ball/jump ball situations during the game (including the
start of the second half), teams alternate receiving the ball ("alternating
possession"), with the team not gaining possession of the last (tossed)
jump ball being the first recipient

The game and any overtime period start with a jump ball; alternating
possession at the beginning of the second half

If the offensive team retains the ball due to the alternating process,
the shot clock shall not be reset.

Substitutions

A "substitution opportunity" begins when the clock is stopped and
the ball is dead (i.e. after a whistle or after a field goal in the
last two minutes). It ends when an official steps
into the circle to toss a jump ball or an official steps into
the lane to administer free throw(s) or the ball is at the
disposal of a player for a throw-in. One major effect of this is to
disallow subs
between free throws.

If the last free throw is successful (or is followed
by possession), either team may substitute.

After a basket in the last two minutes, the team scored upon may initiate
a substitution (the player(s) must be there before the basket is scored). If
only the team that scores wants the substitution, it shall not be allowed.

Referee's stoppages are explicitly included as substitution opportunities
for either or both teams.

Subs permitted by either team when the clock is stopped and the ball
is dead. Exception: Subs not permitted after a successful final
free throw or field
goal (in the final minute(s) of a period). In many cases, the
player must be in the 8' box (near the centre of the
scorer's
table)
at the
time
of
the stoppage in order to come into the game.

Subs are not allowed during a referee's stoppage (e.g., delay of game
warning, stopping play due to an errant ball).

During free throw activity, subs are permitted after the first free
throw in a multiple throw penalty, but not thereafter (i.e. not between
the second and third throws, nor after a successful final throw). "Sub
for the shooter" is not generally permitted.

Subs by either team permitted when the clock is stopped and the ball
is dead, including after a successful free throw. Exception: Substitutions
shall not be permitted in the last 59.9 seconds of the second
half or any extra period when the clock is stopped (a) due to a
successful field goal, (b) to correct a
timer's mistake, or (c) due to an inadvertent whistle.

No restrictions on which team must initiate subs, even after a successful
final free throw.

In situations where two or three free throws are awarded, substitutions
are held until just prior to the final throw.

"Bonus" (1 free throw, plus another free throw if the first is successful)
is awarded on the 7th, 8th and 9th foul of each half; the penalty is increased
to two shots (often called "double bonus") on the 10th and subsequent
fouls; overtime is an extension of the second half.

Team fouls include all personal fouls, all contact and unsporting technical
fouls, and all technical fouls to anyone on the bench.

Note: No free throws awarded on an offensive
foul (this is now in line with all other rules listed here; prior to
the 2002-03 season, this rule only applied to the player in control of
the ball).

2 free throws, play resumes at point of interruption. Exception: Technical fouls
for excess time outs, Flagrant 2-type, and dead ball contact fouls shall be penalised by 2 free throws plus loss
of possession of the ball.

Goaltending/Basket Interference

All rules disallow players from touching the ball on its downward flight toward
the basket if it still has a chance to go in. Reaching through the basket to
play the ball is also a violation. The major differences centre around what
happens when a shot hits the rim and may or may not go in.

Zone Defence

Legal, however a defensive player may not stay in the lane (a.k.a. key,
restricted area) for longer than three seconds if he is not actively guarding
an opponent (penalty: technical foul, shot clock reset to 14 if necessary)

All spots designated (i.e. if left vacant, may not be filled by opponent)

Players on lane leave on release of throw, others must stand behind
free throw line extended & 3 point line and wait for ball to strike
rim

A shooter violation overrides all other violations. Similarly, if the
free throw is good and the shooter did not violate, all other violations
are ignored and the throw counts (one of my favourite FIBA rules).

Minor Differences

Player Numbers

FIBA: Only the numbers 4-15 may be used in international competition
(in exhibition or domestic play, any one- or two-digit number is generally acceptable)NCAA: 00, 0, 1-5, 10-15, 20-25, 30-35, 40-45, 50-55; not both
0 and 00 on the same team;NBA, WNBA: any one or two digit number; not both 0 and 00 on
the same team.

Ball Over Backboard

FIBA: The ball is still in play if it passes over the backboard
in either direction, providing that it does not hit a basket supportNBA, WNBA, NCAA: Ball is out of bounds if it passes over the
backboard in either direction (NBA/WBNA wording is "passes behind the backboard")

Travelling

NBA/WNBA rule is a little more liberal than the current NCAA and FIBA rules
when a player is coming to a stop. The NBA/WNBA rule is identical to the
pre-1994 FIBA rule; in essence, once you have come to a legal stop, you always
have a foot to pivot with. NCAA and current FIBA rules can leave a player
without a pivot foot. As well, if you land with a staggered stop (i.e. one
foot, then the other, with one foot clearly in front of the other), the
back foot is the pivot foot in NBA/WNBA. In NCAA/FIBA, the first foot to
touch is the pivot.

Injured Player

FIBA: Referee stops play at an appropriate time to deal with
injury (slightly different times in FIBA and NCAA). If an injured player
is entitled to free throws and must leave the game, the substitute shall
attempt the throws.NCAA: Referee stops play at an appropriate time to deal with
injury (slightly different times in FIBA and NCAA). In Men's play, if an
injured player is entitled to free throws and must leave the game, the opposing
coach selects the player (from the four remaining on the floor) to take the
throws unless it is due to an intentional or flagrant foul. (Women's play:
Same as FIBA.)NBA, WNBA: Team must call 20 second or full timeout to stop for
injured player. If an injured player is entitled to free throws and must
leave the game, the opposing coach selects a player from the shooting
team's bench to take the throws unless it is due to a flagrant foul (penalty
1 or 2).

Closely Guarded Player / 5 Second Violation

FIBA: Player holding the ball for 5 seconds, actively guarded
within one metre, anywhere on the courtNCAA: front court only, holding the ball (not a
combination of both) for 5 seconds, within 6'/2 m; Men: Can also be when dribbling the ball at the same distance.CIS Men 2006: Player holding the ball for 5 seconds,
actively guarded within one metre, front court only.NBA: No closely guarded rule; Illegal to dribble with your back
to the basket for 5 consecutive seconds while you are between the baseline
and the free throw line extended.WNBA: No rule

If you are standing with the ball and have one or both feet
touching the back court, you have back court status. If you are dribbling
from backcourt to front court, all three points (dribbler's feet and the
ball) must be in the front court, otherwise the ball retains back court
status. This
is now the case for all rules (FIBA change in 2008).FIBA:Player who establishes
a new team control while airborne and then lands in the backcourt has
not commited a violation. Also, team control exists on a throw-in, so
if the ball is thrown in from the front court to a player with back court
status, it would be a backcourt violation.NCAA: An airborne player who is the first to
secure control of the
ball after a jump ball or throw-in or as the result of an intercepted pass may land with one or both feet in
the back
court without violating. On a throw-in,
a player may legally throw the ball directly to a teammate in the backcourt.NBA, WNBA: Same as FIBA. Additional exceptions
made for frontcourt and midcourt throw-ins in the last two minutes (WNBA:
1 minute) of the 4th period and throughout overtime made directly
to the backcourt, an airborne player securing the ball in jump ball
situations, and in loose ball situations.

8 (or 10) Second Violation

Once a team gains control of the ball in the backcourt, it has either
8 or 10 seconds (as specified below) to proceed to the frontcourt (i.e. the
ball gains frontcourt status).FIBA: 8 seconds. Count is not reset if possession is retained
because of an out of bounds violation, an alternating possession throw-in,
fouls of equal penalties, or offensive injury. NBA, WNBA: 8 seconds. Count is reset if the defence kicks or punches
the ball, is assessed a technical foul, or is issued a delay of game warning;
or if play is stopped due to a player bleeding. For purposes of this rule,
the ball gains front court status on a pass when it crosses the plane of the
centre line.NCAA: 10 seconds (New for Women in 2013–15). Count ends (without penalty) if the ball
becomes dead (e.g., if the defensive team deflects the ball out of bounds).

Rebounding Own Shot

NBA, WNBA: Violation to be the first to touch ones own shot
if it doesn't hit the rim or backboard (i.e. an "air ball").
All others: Legal (referee must judge that it was a try for goal, as poorly
executed as it was ;-)

Ball Size

As of September 2004, all Women's rules (FIBA, WNBA, NCAA) use the
so-called Size 6 ball (previously, FIBA had used the same ball size for men
and women).
All Men's rules continue to use the larger ball.

Instant Replay

NBA, WNBA: Triggered automatically (no discretion); used to
determine good field goals at the end of period as well as time remaining
in period when the foul occurs with 0:00 on the clock; used to determine
severity of foul in Flagrant 2 (ejection) instance and any other factors
that may have caused same; used to assist with identifying and penalizing
players in an altercation; used for game clock malfunction at the end of
a period; used to determine status of 2- or 3-point attempt (whether made
or shooter fouled) when officials are in doubt. Anything at the end of the
game that will not affect the outcome is not reviewed.NCAA: When available, shall be used to determine good
field goals at the end of period as well as time remaining in period when
the foul occurs with 0:00 on the clock (same as NBA); shall be used to determine
who left the bench during a fight (and if a fight occurred); may be
used (discretion of officials) in specific ways related to Free Throws (e.g.,
shooter, number of throws), Scoring (2 or 3 point goal, scorer errors), Timing
(clock malfunction, game clock or shot clock operational errors — specific
limits apply), or to determine if a Flagrant 1 or 2 foul has occurred
(can also reduce the penalty
to intentional foul after review). (More kinds of reviews allowed as of 2013–15, including determining who commited the flagrant foul.)FIBA: No rule.

Deliberate/Hard Foul (not leading to ejection)

FIBA: Called Unsportsmanlike Foul. To be called if player
is making no effort to play the ball or if it is a "hard foul." If
there is no opponent between the offensive player and the basket and the
player is fouled from behind or on the side, it is unsportmanlike.NBA, WNBA: Called Flagrant Foul — Penalty 1. To be called if
contact is "unnecessary." A
clear-path-to-the-basket foul is not considered a Flagrant (1) foul, but the
penalty (2 free throws + possession) is the same.NCAA: Called Flagrant 1 Personal Foul.
Similar interpretation to FIBA (except no specific clear-path foul, just fouling
from behind). Contacting a thrower-in is an Intentional Foul.

CIS Women 2006: If a violation occurs resulting in a throw-in from a team's
back court, the official shall not handle the ball on such throw-in. The
throw-in shall take place from within 1 m of the designated spot (if
it is not, the official blows the play down and handles the throw-in from
the designated spot). This is similar to the pre-1990 FIBA Rule.
Others: No rule — all such throw-ins are handled by an official.